Humans have called upon stories to make sense of the world likely since the beginning of spoken and written language. And while this idea of ancient storytelling may seem a far cry from a fitness-related topic, the fact is that we still -- consciously or not -- defer to stories to make sense of just about everything, and it has everything to do with your health and fitness.

To jump straight into the real, relatable, and practical, when you find yourself in the midst of a physical challenge (or any other challenge), you will create stories in your head to make sense of that challenge. In the midst of a hard day of training, when you’re uncomfortable, exhausted, breathing hard, and have what seems like an insurmountable distance or reps left to do, you will turn to the stories in your head to decide how (or if) you will continue, and why.

What’s important is not the specifics of the story, but the ideas it is rooted in.

Does your story revolve around what you feel capable of doing? What you feel incapable of doing? Does it focus on what’s out of your control? What’s in your control? Does it focus on momentary discomfort? Does it look to future outcomes? Does it portray you, the main character as someone with potential, capable of and built for growth? Or as a fixed subject, incapable of change?

Your stories will (ultimately) define your behaviors. Don’t be afraid to tune in to the stories running through your head and ask: are these the stories I want defining me?

- PS

10/3/18

• 24 min EMOM:

• Min 1: 5 push press (AHAP)

• Min 2: Max unbroken strict chin-ups

• Min 3: 45s max DUs

• Min 4: rest

*record total strict chin-ups and DUs